• The number of pupils of compulsory school age in 2019 was 72,698. This represents 19% of all pupils in Wales.
• There are 234 maintained schools in the region, 16% of all maintained schools in Wales (EAS figure correct from September 2018, Wales figure from PLASC, 2019).
• The percentage of pupils of compulsory school age who are eligible for free school meals (FSM) is 19.2%, which is higher than the national figure of 18.3%. This level of eligibility is the joint highest of the four regional consortia with Central South Consortium (PLASC, 2019).
• In the region, 10% of people aged three and over say that they can speak Welsh compared to the Wales average of 19% (2011 Census, ONS).
• The percentage of pupils aged 5 orover from an ethnic minority background is 10.8%, an increase from 10.3% in 2018. This is a similar rate of increase to that nationally (11.4% from 11.0%).

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